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Original poster

Solicitors [sad]

19 replies

Norton · 28/10/2004 15:32

Is it me?

The Solicitor I say today - didn't want to look at my paperwork or to discuss my case. He wanted to find out how I was going to pay him.
Legal Assistance - not elegible
Legal Aid may be eligible - but will have to pay a proportion and will have to pay £250 up front

No discussion of whether the case has any validity
Or If we are wasting his time

I think it must be me

OP posts:
childmindersam · 28/10/2004 15:36

im sorry i agree, most solicitors today are concerned with money! My dh and i went to a free 10 min appointment with a solicitor to see how to go about getting parental responsibilty for my ds and his dd. We were told it was a short procedure but would cost between £200 and £400.
We couldnt afford that so left it, then i decided to ring the magistrates family court and ask them. To cut a long story short we did it all without a solicitor and paid £38!!!! Just goes to show what solicitors are after!

Galaxy · 28/10/2004 16:17

message withdrawn

CountessDracula · 28/10/2004 16:39

Well obviously they are in business like everyone else and have to make a living! If they just sat about handing out free advice all the time they would go bust. TBH if you want free advice it is best to try a Law Centre or Citizen's advice bureau first. Norton what was the case? Not something you can do on no win no fee I presume?

Original poster
Norton · 28/10/2004 16:45

No - it's a contract dispute with an Insurance co - I've been talking about it for a couple of weeks here
I accept that he needs to know he is going to get paid - but if I'm borderline on Legalaid I think I need to be given the benefit of the doubt for the rest

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jampot · 28/10/2004 16:45

Im pretty sure teh Law Society run a pro bono week but don't know when - maybe worth ringing them to find out. Alternatively find a solicitor who offers free initial interview

Freckle · 28/10/2004 16:59

Have you tried the Financial Ombudsman yet? They might be your best bet as you won't have to pay them to investigate your case. And, if you do take matters to court, the judge might want to know if you have exhausted all other remedies first.

If you want to get legal advice beforehand though, I can recommend a couple of solicitors, but they won't be local to you.

Original poster
Norton · 28/10/2004 21:08

I've just found out I have £25K legal cover on my House Insurance
Whoopee

Unfortunatley the Financial Ombudsman won't even speak to me if I haven't had a final decision from the Ins co

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Hulababy · 30/10/2004 21:40

If you require free advice look out for those solicitors running "first half hour free" type schemes. Sometimes these occur in evenings, after 5pm too. Although I think less solicitors firms are doing these - well, round here anyway.

The CAB can help with free advice too. DH's first firm did some CAB time one evening every so often. I think local solicitors may do this.

Don't feel bad that the solicitor wants to sort out costs. Surely it is fair to you too that the costs are st out at the beginning, so you dont waste each others time. I am sure you'd feel worse if he/she gave you advice, and then charged you for it at the end - without you knowing the costs at the start.

Freckle · 30/10/2004 22:57

So what are you waiting for from the ins. co.? Surely the fact that they have reduced your money is a "final decision". Are they still carrying out some sort of internal investigation?

Original poster
Norton · 30/10/2004 23:06

Yes - they will give me the results in 4 weeks
Unless it takes longer in which case they will answer in 8 weeks
Unless it takes longer - but if it does they will write to me (in 8 weeks) to tell me it will take longer than 8 weeks
So exactly how long is this piece of string.....

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mummyloves · 30/10/2004 23:10

Norton, not being nosey or need exact details, but what sort of subject area did you need to discuss?

Twiglett · 30/10/2004 23:14

just wanted to say hang in there norton

Original poster
Norton · 30/10/2004 23:17

Thanks Twiglett
Mummyloves it's long and complicated but basically the ins co has cut our monthly income by £639 there is a link (28/10 @ 4.45) If you have lots of time to read it

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prufrock · 30/10/2004 23:21

Me too Norton.
If you do want to look on the bright side, see it as enforced saving. From the details you've given I can't see how the FO would rule against you, so the insurance company will eventually have to pay all the extra payments you haven't received, and interest. So if you can hang on in there you'll end up with a nice lump sum.

As you don't seem to eb getting anywhere with solicitors, would you consider writing to one of the newspapers? It sounds like just the sort of thing that Tony Hetherington in the Mail on Sunday (I know it's a bad paper but we have to get it to see what the finance section says about dh's companies products) would be interested in. Especially as it may have affected others, who may not be in a position to fight.

Original poster
Norton · 30/10/2004 23:24

I emailed Which, Watchdog and Working Lunch (wot a lot of w's)
Which said let us know when it's resolved - Watchdog no reply
And my problem was put to an expert on last Fri Working Lunch & I missed it so I don't know the answer

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Original poster
Norton · 30/10/2004 23:25

My BF said in 5 years when it's sorted I'll be able to pay off the mortgage However it's this month's food I'm a little worried about

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prufrock · 30/10/2004 23:30

Can't you contact the BBC and ask for a copy, or at least what the expert said?

LunarSea · 31/10/2004 08:46

If you mean the latest edition (i.e. this Friday just gone) try here

Original poster
Norton · 31/10/2004 10:32

Thanks Lunarsea it was the week befores
I will try the BBC

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